Child support wedge

ABSTRACT

The present infant or small child support device includes a wedge shaped foundation with an inclined upper surface formed to support a child or small child in an inclined supine position. At least one side panel projects away from a longitudinal periphery of an inclined upper surface. In a preferred embodiment, opposing side panels project from the longitudinal periphery of an inclined upper surface. An inverted T shaped lower extremity support projects away from a lower region of an inclined upper support surface. In a preferred embodiment, an inverted T shaped lower extremity support is positioned between and at a lower end of the opposing side panels to form a basin which securely holds an infant or small child in a inclined supine position. In a preferred embodiment, the present support device is constructed from a resilient non-absorbent material. In yet another embodiment, the present support device can be inflatable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to supporting devices which provide a surface to support at least a portion of a user's body and particularly to such devices that are particularly constructed, shaped, or sized to support an infant or small child (hereinafter grouped together under the term “child”).

2. Description of the Related Art

Support devices constructed, shaped or sized to support children are typically used to cradle, hold or restrain a child while he or she is not playing or in the arms of a parent or guardian. Currently a number of such child support devices include an inclined surface and a harness restraint system.

However, the present child support devices do not provide a means for managing medical devices, such as NG and IV tubes, which may be connected to a child. Furthermore, such child support devices do not provide a means to eliminate or at least minimize the effect of leg movement. The patents disclosed below while providing some type of support to a child, do not provide a means to eliminate or at least minimize the effect of leg movement or the management of medical devices.

U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date 4,471,767 Guimond Sep. 18, 1984 4,873,735 Fermaglich et al Oct. 17, 1989 5,127,422 Colon Jul. 7, 1992 5,599,063 Lister Feb. 4, 1997 6,898,811 Zucker May 31, 05 6,834,405 Hillstead Dec. 28, 04

The prior art devices do not adequately address the problem of providing an effective means of preventing a child from becoming entangled with or pulling out connected medical devices while positioned in a support device. Nor do the above disclosed devices provide resilient non-absorbent surfaces. Furthermore, the prior art support devices do not adequately prevent a child's movement in a support device as a result of leg movement.

What is needed is a sturdy child support device capable of holding an active child in an inclined supine position and further providing medical device management to prevent or at least minimize entanglement or device disconnection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a sturdy, nonabsorbent, child support device capable of securely holding an active child in an supine inclined position with a set of peripherally located side panels and a lower extremity support. A releasable harness fixed to the support device provides further restraint of the inclined supine child. A related object of the present invention is to provide a means to manage medical devices connected to a supported supine child by at least one groove formed in the wedge shaped foundation, side panel and/or lower extremity support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a wedge shaped foundation 10 with an inclined upper surface 20 formed to support a child in an inclined supine position. At least one side panel 30 projects away from a longitudinal periphery of an inclined upper surface 20. In a preferred embodiment, opposing side panels 30 project from the longitudinal periphery of an inclined upper surface 20 (See FIGS. 1 through 3). An inverted T shaped lower extremity support 40 projects away from a lower region of said inclined upper support surface 20. In a preferred embodiment, the inverted T shaped lower extremity support 40 is positioned between and at a lower end of the opposing side panels 30 (See FIGS. 2 and 3). In such an arrangement, a basin 70 is formed which securely holds a child in a supine inclined position (See FIG. 3).

A side panel 30 is of sufficient thickness, length and height to prevent a child from sliding, rolling or squirming laterally out of basin 70. Similarly, an inverted T shaped lower extremity support 40 is of sufficient thickness, length and height to prevent a child from sliding, thrusting or squirming longitudinally out of basin 70. Furthermore, the inverted T shaped lower extremity support 40 separates the child's legs and positions them in such a manner to eliminate or at least reduce body movement that typically results from pushing or thrusting of the legs (See FIG. 1).

The angle of the inclined upper surface 20 as well as the basin 70 may range from about approximately 5 degrees to about approximately 60 degrees to facilitate sleeping, medical treatment and/or the reduction of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is about approximately 30 degrees to about approximately 45 degrees (See FIG. 1).

In another embodiment, a releasable harness 50 can be fitted to further secure or restrain the child in basin 70 (See FIGS. 1 through 3).

In yet another embodiment, at least one groove 60 is formed in the child support wedge to releasably hold a portion of a medical device (See FIGS. 1 through 3). In such an embodiment, groove 60 manages and directs the wires, tubes or other types of medical devices to and from the child to eliminate or at least prevent entanglement and/or unintended disconnection. Such a groove 60 is formed to allow easy unattended release of a tube, wire or medical device when the child is picked up from basin 70 or from upper surface 20. Groove 60 can be located in a variety of places about the child support wedge as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3, but do not necessarily represent all the locations or positions of a groove 60.

In a preferred embodiment, a lower surface 25 of the wedge shaped foundation 10 is flat to provide maximum stability to the child support wedge. In another embodiment, lower surface 25 is curved or cambered about at least one axis to allowing rocking of the child support wedge (See FIG. 3).

In a preferred embodiment, the child support wedge is formed from a solid piece of lightweight, sturdy polyurethane foam with a non-absorbent surface. In another embodiment, a child support wedge is an inflatable structure. In such an embodiment, at least one chamber is formed in the child support wedge to provide the necessary structure to support and/or restrain a child. Specifically, the internal chamber can be formed in the wedge shaped foundation 10, at least one side panel 30 and/or inverted T shaped lower extremity support 40. In another embodiment, a plurality of interconnected or independent internal chambers are formed in the child support wedge to provide and vary the necessary structure to support and/or restrain a child. In any of the inflatable embodiments, inflation can be achieved with a liquid and/or gas.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A child support device comprising: a wedge shaped foundation with an inclined upper support surface formed to support a child in an inclined supine position; at least one side panel projecting away from a longitudinal periphery of said upper surface to restrain lateral movement of the child; an inverted T shaped lower extremity support projecting away from a lower region of said inclined upper support surface, wherein said lower extremity support separates the child's legs from each other and further position the lower extremities of the child to eliminate or at least minimize infant movement due to leg movement; and a harness system connected to said foundation to securely hold the child in the child support device.
 2. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower surface of said wedge shaped foundation is curved to allow rocking of the child support device.
 3. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one inflatable internal chamber is formed in said wedge shaped foundation.
 4. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one inflatable internal chamber is formed in said side panel.
 5. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one inflatable internal chamber is formed in said inverted T shaped lower extremity support.
 6. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in said upper support surface to releasably hold at least a portion of a medical device.
 7. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in said side panel to releasably hold at least a portion of a medical device.
 8. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove is located in said inverted T shaped lower extremity support to releasably hold at least a portion of a medical device.
 9. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wedge shaped foundation is constructed from a resilient non-absorbent material.
 10. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side panel is constructed from a resilient non-absorbent material.
 11. An child support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central support post is constructed from a resilient non-absorbent material.
 12. An child support device comprising: a pair of opposing longitudinal side panels projecting away from the peripheral region of an upper inclined support surface of a wedge shaped foundation to restrain lateral movement of a child positioned on said inclined support surface; an inverted T shaped lower extremity support projecting away from a lower peripheral region of said upper inclined support surface and between said opposing longitudinal side panels to separate the child's legs and further restrain longitudinal movement of a child positioned on said inclined support surface; and at least one groove formed in the child support device to releasably hold at least a portion of a medical device.
 13. An child support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein a releasable harness fixed to said wedge shaped foundation to provide further restraint to the child.
 14. An child support device as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of a lower surface of said wedge shaped foundation is cambered on at least one axis to allow rocking of the child support device.
 15. An child support device comprising a basin formed from a pair of opposing side panels and an inverted T shaped lower extremity support projecting away from the peripheral region of an upper inclined support surface of a wedge shaped foundation, said basin formed to securely hold and support a child in an inclined supine position.
 16. An child support device as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one groove is formed in the child support device to releasably hold at least a portion of a medical device.
 17. An child support device as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of a lower surface of said wedge shaped foundation is curved on at least one axis to allow rocking of the child support device. 